Folding mechanism for treadmills

ABSTRACT

A folding mechanism for a treadmill, including a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at opposite ends of one side; a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of the connector interfaces corresponding respectively to the protruding portions; a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element at one end of each of the pair of sliding bars; a pair of stationary bars; and a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of the first support frame, allowing the sliding elements to move along the guide tracks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a folding mechanism, in particular, a folding mechanism that allows for easy folding.

2. Description of the Related Art

People have become more and more health-conscious nowadays and have tried to do exercise after work. Many people like to jog. Since jogging requires a large space, however, people have to jog outdoors. Outdoor activity often is subject to poor weather conditions, air pollution, and may pose unforeseeable danger to the jogger. To overcome these problems, sports equipment manufactures and suppliers have introduced treadmills to the market, in an attempt to allow people to do exercise at anytime they like and avoid the adverse environmental factors. Since treadmills tend to take up much space, their applicability is restricted. As a result, people are more inclined to purchase foldable treadmills for the sake of storage and space saving.

The pivot structure of a typical foldable treadmill usually consists of a linkage device that connects the base and the treadmill body. Through the transmission of kinetic energy to the linkage device, the treadmill body pursuant to the principle of linkage will swing close to the base until the treadmill body is perpendicular to the base, having the treadmill folded. Treadmills with a linkage device to connect or to engage pivotably both the base and the treadmill body have been well known and disclosed, for instance, by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,273,843, 6,746,374 and 6,746,376. Thus, it a technical feature for the treadmill body to swing close to the base and to fold up.

Even so, the component structures of the conventional linkage device are rather complicated. Therefore, the present invention intends to provide a folding mechanism for treadmills that is easy for storage and folding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to provide a folding mechanism for a treadmill that is easy for storage and folding.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a folding mechanism for a treadmill with simple structures.

According to the above objectives, the present invention provides a folding mechanism for the treadmill comprises: (1) a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at opposite ends of one side, each of the protruding portions having a first pivot point; (2) a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of the connector interfaces corresponding respectively to the protruding portions and having a second pivot point and a third pivot point; (3) a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element at one end of each of the pair of sliding bars and a fourth pivot point at the opposite end of each of the pair of sliding bars, the forth pivot points connecting pivotably to the third pivot points positioned at the connector interfaces; (4) a pair of stationary bars, each of which having two fifth pivot points positioned respectively at each of its two ends for connecting pivotably one end to the first pivot point at the protruding portion and the other end to the second pivot point at the connector interface; (5) a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of the first support frame, allowing the sliding elements to move along the guide tracks.

The treadmill includes a base with symmetrical handgrips on both sides and a control device mounted above the base; a treadmill body is mounted on the base, with a rotating device consisting of a rolling belt and a set of cylinders. Particularly, the first support frame of the treadmill is used to frame the base whereas the second support frame of the treadmill is used to frame the treadmill body. Additionally, the end of the sliding bar, which has the sliding element, further includes a roller, and the sliding element and the roller are both connected to the sliding bar through a rod.

The folding mechanism further comprises a locking device for locking the treadmill body when the treadmill is folded. The locking device has a hook and a foot pedal, the hook being used to fasten the rod when the second support frame is folded to the upright position so as to prevent the sliding bar from moving by way of the roller; the foot pedal is used to disengage the rod when intending to use the treadmill.

A roller is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame, whereas a pad is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame. Alternatively, a pad can be mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame, whereas a roller can be mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame. A roller can also be mounted respectively at both the front and rear ends of each of the two side walls of the first support frame.

A transverse bar is mounted between the pair of sliding bars, and a lifting motor is mounted between the transverse bar and the second support frame serving as a fixed linkage between the second support frame and the sliding bars.

The guide track assumes an angular shape with one section at the higher level than the other, and takes a straight form.

A cross-section of the guide track is either H-shaped or U-shaped, and at least one groove is formed in the H-shaped or U-shaped guide track so as to allow the sliding element to move along the guide track. The sliding element contains rolling members, and a cross-section of the guide track is either round-shaped or square-shaped.

The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pivot points all take the form of holes and jointly lock to each other through a fastening element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a treadmill of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a folding mechanism of the treadmill;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an assembled folding mechanism of the treadmill;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the folding mechanism of the treadmill;

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the folding mechanism of the treadmill in a moving state;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the folding mechanism of the treadmill in a resting state; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a folding mechanism for the treadmill, particularly with respect to a sliding bar and guide track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view for the appearance of a treadmill in accordance with the present invention. The present invention concerning the treadmill includes a base 80 with symmetrical handgrips 81 on both sides and a control device 82 mounted above the base 80; a treadmill body 90 is mounted on the base 80, with a rotating device (not shown) consisting of a rolling belt and a set of cylinders.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the a folding mechanism of the treadmill. Particularly, FIG. 2 particularly shows a perspective view of the folding mechanism of the treadmill. The folding mechanism 100 for the treadmill includes: (1) a first support frame 10 used to frame the base with two protruding portions 11 mounted respectively at opposite ends of one side; (2) a second support frame 20 used to frame the treadmill body with two connector interfaces 21 mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames. Each of the connector interfaces 21 corresponds respectively to the protruding portions 11; (3) a pair of sliding bars 30 having a pair of sliding elements 31 (see FIG. 3) mounted on one side of one end of each of the pair of sliding bars 30 and a roller 32 mounted on the other side of the end. The sliding element 31 and the roller 32 connect to the sliding bar 30 through a rod 33 (see FIG. 4) and a fourth pivot point 34 (see FIG. 3) is positioned at the other end of the sliding bar 30. The sliding element 31 described in the embodiment includes and is also designated as rolling members 31; (4) a pair of stationary bars 40, each of which having two fifth pivot points 41, 42 positioned respectively at each of its two ends; (5) a pair of guide tracks 50 mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of the first support frame 10. Each of the guide tracks 50 is mounted between the two rolling members 31 of the sliding bar 30 so as to allow the rolling members 31 to move along the guide tracks 50.

FIG. 3 more specifically shows an exploded view of the assembled folding mechanism of the treadmill. A first pivot point 12 is positioned at the protruding portion 11 mounted on the first support frame 10. The first pivot point 12 is meant to connect pivotably to the fifth pivot point 41 at one end of the stationary bar 40. A roller 13 (see FIG. 4) is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame 10 whereas a pad 14 is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame 10. The connector interface 21 has a second pivot point 22 and a third pivot point 23. The second pivot point 22 is meant to connect pivotably to the fifth pivot point 42 at the other end of the stationary bar 40 so as to keep the stationary bar 40 immovable between the first support frame 10 and the second support frame 20. The third pivot point 23 is meant to connect pivotably to the fourth pivot point 34 positioned on the sliding bar 30 so as to fasten the sliding bar 30 to the second support frame 20 while allowing the sliding bar 30 to move along the guide tracks 50 at the same time. While the stationary bar 40 and the sliding bar 30 connect pivotably to the second pivot point 22 and the third pivot point 23, respectively, they are jointly locked to the opposite sides and the opposite ends of the connector interface 21, so as to form a linkage between the sliding bar 30 and the stationary bar 40. A transverse bar 35 is mounted between the pair of sliding bars 30, and a lifting motor 60 is mounted between the transverse bar 35 and the second support frame 20, serving as a fixed linkage between the second support frame 20 and the sliding bars 30.

Preferably, a roller is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame and a pad is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame. Alternatively, a pad is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame and a roller is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of the first support frame. Or, a roller is mounted respectively at both the front and rear ends of each of the two side walls of the first support frame. Or, other embodiments with equivalent structures in compliance with the spirit of the invention will do.

Preferably, the guide track 50 assumes an angular shape with one section at the higher level than the other. The guide track 50 is positioned lower near the pad end 14 of the first support frame 10 whereas it is positioned higher near the roller end 13 of the first support frame 10. As a result, when placing the second support frame 20 in the upright position, the roller 32 mounted on the sliding bar 30 will move to the lowest position contacting the floor, so as to make the treadmill movable in coordination with the rollers 13 on the first support frame 10. Preferably, the first 12, second 22, third 23, fourth 34, and fifth 41, 42 pivot points all take the form of holes and are jointly locked to each other through a fastening element (not shown).

The preferred embodiment further includes a locking device 70 for locking the treadmill body when the treadmill is folded. The locking device 70 is mounted on one side of the first support frame 10, corresponding to the rod 33 and connecting pivotably to the fifth pivot point 41 positioned on the stationary bar 40. The locking device 70 has a hook 71 and a foot pedal 72. The hook 71 is used to fasten the rod 33 when the second support frame 20 is folded to the upright position so as to prevent the sliding bar 30 from moving by way of the roller 32 and to avert danger in case of the collapse of the second support frame 20 due to recklessness, causing damage on the treadmill. The foot pedal 72 is used to disengage the rod 33 when intending to use the treadmill.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 more specifically illustrate the movement of the folding mechanism of the treadmill. When intending to use the treadmill, the user steps on the foot pedal 72 of the locking device 70 and presses forcefully, causing to lift up the hook 71 and disengage the rod 33. Furthermore, through the rollers 32 mounted on the sliding bars 30 that move forwards along the guide tracks 50, the second support frame 20 would slowly lie down and rest upon the first support frame 10. In the meantime, the rollers 32 lose contact with the floor by moving upwards along the guide tracks 50, making the first support frame 10 unmovable and fixed on the floor, as shown in FIG. 6.

When intending to have the treadmill folded, the user uplifts the second support frame 20 in relation to the floor. Through the rollers 32 mounted on the sliding bars 30 that move backwards along the guide tracks 50, the second support frame 20 would slowly become perpendicular to the first support frame 10. In the meantime, the rollers 32 contact the floor again by moving downwards along the guide tracks 50. Furthermore, through the hook 71 of the locking device 70 that fastens the rod 33, the second support frame 20 is properly secured, making the first support frame 10 movable to the desired storage place by way of both the rollers 13 on the first support frame 10 and the rollers 32 on the sliding bars, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the folding mechanism for the treadmill in respect of the sliding bar and the guide track. The drawing of the embodiment omits the sliding bar and shows only the structure in coordination with the guide track. According to the embodiment, the cross-section of the guide track 51 is H-shaped, forming an upper groove and lower groove along the guide track 51. A pair of sliding elements 36 is mounted on one side of one end of the sliding bar 30, corresponding respectively to the upper groove 52 and lower groove 53. Comparable to the H-shaped guide track, the sliding element 36 in the embodiment contains a pair of rollers. A sheet bar 37 is mounted on one side of the pair of rollers 36, connecting the pair of rollers 36 and forming a linkage between them. As a result, the pair of rollers 36 are movable along the upper groove 52 and lower groove 53 of the guide track.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in the examples. The examples, however, should not be construed as a limitation on the actual applicable scope of the invention, and as such, all modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit of the invention and appended claims, including the other embodiments, shall remain within the protected scope and claims of the invention. 

1. A folding mechanism for a treadmill comprising: a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at an opposite ends of one side, each of said protruding portions having a first pivot point; a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of said connector interfaces corresponding respectively to said protruding portions, each of said connector interfaces having a second pivot point and a third pivot point; a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element at one end of each of said pair of sliding bars and a fourth pivot point at the opposite end of each of said pair of sliding bars, said forth pivot points connecting pivotably to said third pivot points positioned at said connector interfaces; a pair of stationary bars, each of which having two fifth pivot points positioned respectively at each of its two ends for connecting pivotably one end to the first pivot point at said protruding portion and the other end to the second pivot point at said connector interface; and a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of said first support frame, allowing said sliding elements to move along said guide tracks.
 2. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said treadmill includes a base with symmetrical handgrips on both sides and a control device mounted above the base; and a treadmill body mounted on the base, with a rotating device consisting of a rolling belt and a set of cylinders.
 3. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 2, wherein said first support frame is used to frame the base, and said second support frame is used to frame the treadmill body.
 4. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 3, further comprising a locking device for locking said treadmill body when the treadmill is folded.
 5. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the end of said sliding bar that has the sliding element further includes a roller, and said sliding element and said roller are connected to said sliding bar through a rod.
 6. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a roller is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame, and a pad is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame.
 7. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a pad is mounted at the front end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame, and a roller is mounted at the rear end of each of the two side walls of said first support frame.
 8. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a roller is mounted respectively at both the front and rear ends of each of the two side walls of said first support frame.
 9. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a transverse bar is mounted between said pair of sliding bars, and a lifting motor is mounted between said transverse bar and said second support frame serving as a fixed linkage between said second support frame and said sliding bars.
 10. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said guide track assumes an angular shape with one section at the higher level than the other.
 11. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said guide track takes a straight form.
 12. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 10, wherein said sliding element contains rolling members.
 13. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 11, wherein said sliding element contains rolling members.
 14. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said guide track is either H-shaped or U-shaped, and at least one groove is formed in said H-shaped or U-shaped guide track so as to allow said sliding element to move along said guide track.
 15. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 14, wherein said sliding element contains rolling members.
 16. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said guide track is either round-shaped or square-shaped.
 17. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said first, second, third, fourth and fifth pivot points all take the form of holes and jointly lock to each other through a fastening element.
 18. A folding mechanism for a treadmill comprising: a first support frame with two protruding portions mounted respectively at opposite ends of one side, each of said protruding portions having a first pivot point; a second support frame with two connector interfaces mounted respectively at opposite edges of two side frames, each of which corresponding respectively to said protruding portions, each of said connector interfaces having a second pivot point and a third pivot point; a pair of sliding bars having at least one sliding element mounted on one side of one end of each of said pair of sliding bars and a roller mounted on the other side of said end, said sliding element and said roller connecting to said sliding bar through a rod, a fourth pivot point positioned at the other end of said sliding bar, said forth pivot points connecting pivotably to said third pivot points positioned at said connector interfaces; a pair of stationary bars, each of which having two fifth pivot points positioned respectively at each of its two ends for connecting pivotably one end to the first pivot point at said protruding portion and the other end to the second pivot point at said connector interface; a pair of guide tracks mounted respectively in the interiors of two side walls of said first support frame, allowing said sliding elements to move along said guide tracks; and a locking device mounted on one side of said first support frame, corresponding to said rod and connecting pivotably to said fifth pivot point positioned on said stationary bar.
 19. The folding mechanism for the treadmill according to claim 18, wherein said locking device has a hook and a foot pedal, said hook being used to fasten said rod when said second support frame is folded to the upright position so as to prevent said sliding bar from moving because of said roller; and said foot pedal is used to disengage said rod when intending to use said treadmill. 